Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
|
|
Bay Area Reporter (12.01.05) - Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Zak Szymanski
"We are a gay men's community health center, treating not just the health of the individual but of the community," said Steve Gibson, Magnet's director. In addition to STD/HIV testing, the center offers community events, art exhibits, Internet access and meeting space for groups.
Several years ago, the city Department of Public Health (DPH) issued a call for proposals for the center. The lone response came from the harm reduction group Stonewall Project, which is housed at the University of California-San Francisco's Department of Psychiatry. Magnet is technically governed by a distant relationship with UCSF; though it lacks UCSF funding, the school does provide administrative support and allows the center to draw negative balances on loan.
The center is working to become a financially secure, independent nonprofit and constitute a board to ensure accountability, goals shared by several community advisory board members. Currently, Magnet's budget primarily relies on two DPH contracts for HIV/STD screening. This summer, Magnet was bailed out by Steven Tierney, DPH's HIV prevention director, after failing to win a crucial DPH grant, revealing the center's financial vulnerability.
That bailout was contingent upon forming a board to create financial oversight, said Dr. Rick Loftus, a former volunteer clinician for Magnet.
On Dec. 5, Magnet was to hold focus groups to help direct future activities. And Gibson said Magnet's nominating committee had come up with three to five candidates who might accept positions on a nine-member board. Magnet is receiving pro bono legal help to examine nonprofit incorporation in nine to ten months, he said. Decisions on the center's relation with UCSF will have to wait for the new board, he added.
051214
AD052520
Copyright © 2005 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2005. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2005. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.
.